[at-l] Abol Bridge closed til May 20th

[Snodrog5 at aol.com (Snodrog5@aol.com)]

 Saw a message about this on the MATC webpage and phoned Kevin McVey of 
Katahdin Timberlands for more information.
 The Abol Bridge, where the A.T. crosses the West Branch of the Penobscot 
River just south of Baxter State Park will be closed from March 29th until May 
20th to vehicular traffic. Work began?two weeks ago on this major construction 
project.
 The attached footbridge, which the A.T. crosses on the upstream side, will 
be preserved and remain open for hikers throughout the reconstruction. The 
bridge will be completely rebuilt from the piers up, but will retain it's old 
timey one-lane design.
 Hikers driving to the Park from Millinocket will not be effected. However, 
this closure will mean hikers, shuttle drivers, and maintainers wanting to 
drive to Katahdin from the Monson/Greenville area via the Golden Road will have to 
wait until after the bridge opens, or drive the long way around.
 The bridge is scheduled to open to large trucks on June 21st.
TJ